The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are well under way, having kicked off on Friday with a toned-down yet spectacular opening ceremony.
Although the Games are a bit muted without spectators in attendance owing to the pandemic, there is still plenty of excitement to come from watching some of the world’s best athletes compete against one another.
For those who can’t get enough of this year’s action, thankfully there is social media, as a number of Olympians have taken to TikTok to give a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening in Tokyo.
From sharing what their rooms look like in the Olympic Village to giving their take on the food offered at the dining halls, there's plenty of content being shared. Here are the most interesting athletes to follow on TikTok:
Tilly Kearns (Team Australia, Water Polo)
The Australian Olympian has taken to TikTok to share how the International Olympic Committee and the Japanese government have teamed up to ensure everyone stays safe for this year’s Games. In one video, she shows the safety measures at the dining hall, which include plexiglass, wearing gloves and disinfectant wipes.
Rebecca Edwards and Polly Swann (Team Great Britain, Rowing)
The duo are tracking their Olympic journey together under the handle @RowToTokyo. Their TikTok shows them trying on their Olympic uniforms, touring the Olympic Village, as well as documenting regular life in Japan.
Erik Shoji (Team USA, Volleyball)
The Olympian shows practice sessions with the US men’s volleyball team. He also includes videos about food, often sharing and giving his take on what's on offer at the dining halls in the Olympic Village.
Remedy Rule (Team Philippines, Swimming)
Rule, who also swims for the University of Texas, has shown her followers what the Philippines suite looks like in the Olympic Village. She has also created a video showing the sustainable swaps she’s made in Tokyo, as well as shared footage from the Olympic pool.
Tyler Downs (Team USA, Diving)
Even before qualifying for the Olympics, Downs, 18, already had a large following on TikTok. In addition to posting funny material, such as wanting to meet US star gymnast Simone Biles, he’s also answered fan questions about being at the Olympics. One of them has led to a review of the cardboard beds the athletes sleep in at the Olympic Village.
Kelsey Robinson (Team USA, Volleyball)
The two-time US Olympian offers a look at what goes on in a normal day for her at the Games, from getting tested for Covid to writing notes to Japanese students. She also filmed a first look at the Olympic volleyball venue and created one with her teammates answering the most common questions they get asked as professional volleyball players.
Francisco Caffaro (Team Argentina, Men's Basketball)
The Argentinian basketball centre is sharing his first Olympic experience through his TikTok. He's already shared one video that shows how the Argentinian contingent celebrated the opening ceremony, singing and dancing while waving their country's flag. He also posts videos from the Olympic Village, as well as ones that show him discovering new things around Tokyo.
Courtney Hurley (Team USA, Fencer)
The American fencer, who calls herself the "out of shape Olympian", has shared TikToks showing everything from the Team USA practice sessions to the room she shares with her older sister Kelly at the Olympic Village. In one memorable video, Courtney points out how different their sides of the room are in terms of neatness.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are on until Sunday, August 8. For more coverage of the Olympics, head here.
The five pillars of Islam
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The five pillars of Islam
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
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Wallabies
Updated team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Dane Haylett-Petty, 13-Reece Hodge, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Kurtley Beale, 9-Will Genia, 8-Pete Samu, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Lukhan Tui, 5-Adam Coleman, 4-Rory Arnold, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16-Folau Faingaa, 17-Tom Robertson, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Izack Rodda, 20-Ned Hanigan, 21-Joe Powell, 22-Bernard Foley, 23-Jack Maddocks.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Indika
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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